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Hi. Several Weeks Ago I Had An Elevated Liver Enzyme

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Posted on Fri, 10 Jan 2020
Question: Hi. Several weeks ago i had an elevated liver enzyme result (72) from lab work. I had follow-up labs dec. 18th. I have not drank one drop of alcohol since nov 28th. I am hoping to have results back within a few days but am growing impatient. Is '72' alarming and if i havent drank since nov 28th, what are the chances that result will be lowered?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
If the liver enzymes will go back to norm depends on the level the liver is affected by alcohol.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,

The normal range or liver enzymes is generally around 40 mg/dl or less. Liver enzymes are worrisome if they are more than three times the normal level (over 120 mg/dl) and may in some cases reach a few hundred to even higher than a thousand (especially when the patient has acute hepatitis).

In your case, the elevation is considered mild but it is important to understand why you have the elevation of the liver enzymes as the cause is what really determines the importance of such elevation.
It is difficult to say for sure if the liver enzymes in this test will be normal but I would like to reassure you that the elevation in your case is mild.

It is good you have stopped drinking alcohol as alcohol can cause liver damage. It is also important to check if you use medications for certain medical conditions to check if any of them affects the liver.
Try to not overuse paracetamol as this may affect the liver as well.
Have a healthy diet with fruit and vegetable and avoid fried food, junk food, or very greasy food.

So, to conclude:

- the elevation of the liver enzymes in your case is mild, it does not seem worrisome

- on the other hand, it is important to find out why the liver enzymes are increased in your case as the cause of the elevated enzymes may determine the importance.

- the doctors may need to do checks to see what liver condition the alcohol has caused already. If it is just fatty alcoholic liver disease the prognosis is very good and liver heals completely after quitting alcohol and it is a high chance the liver enzymes will go back to the normal level. If cirrhosis has developed then the liver enzymes may remain abnormal.

- it is good you have stopped drinking and that you are following up with the liver enzymes. It may take weeks to months for tests to improve if no major changes to the liver have happened, so as long as you quit alcohol you are on the right track.

- The doctor may also need to do tests to rule out other causes of increased liver function tests such as tests for hepatitis.

I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you.
Let me know if I may assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (44 minutes later)
Thank you for that very detailed answer. I shouldve mentioned also that i dont drink every day, but when i do its more than the recomended amound. I would consider myself a binge drinker. That being said, do u think there is a chance that drinking heavily a few days prior to the test and taking tylenol couldve elevated the enzyme level?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Alcohol and paracetamol can be the cause of elevated liver enzymes

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome. it is my pleasure to assist you.

Binge drinking can cause elevated liver alone and paracetamol can as well cause elevated liver enzymes and if you have been using both at that time, this can be the reason for elevated liver enzymes.

As I said, the value in your case is very mildly elevated, so you need to relax.

I hope this answers your query...
Let me know if you need further assistance.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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Hi. Several Weeks Ago I Had An Elevated Liver Enzyme

Brief Answer: If the liver enzymes will go back to norm depends on the level the liver is affected by alcohol. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service, The normal range or liver enzymes is generally around 40 mg/dl or less. Liver enzymes are worrisome if they are more than three times the normal level (over 120 mg/dl) and may in some cases reach a few hundred to even higher than a thousand (especially when the patient has acute hepatitis). In your case, the elevation is considered mild but it is important to understand why you have the elevation of the liver enzymes as the cause is what really determines the importance of such elevation. It is difficult to say for sure if the liver enzymes in this test will be normal but I would like to reassure you that the elevation in your case is mild. It is good you have stopped drinking alcohol as alcohol can cause liver damage. It is also important to check if you use medications for certain medical conditions to check if any of them affects the liver. Try to not overuse paracetamol as this may affect the liver as well. Have a healthy diet with fruit and vegetable and avoid fried food, junk food, or very greasy food. So, to conclude: - the elevation of the liver enzymes in your case is mild, it does not seem worrisome - on the other hand, it is important to find out why the liver enzymes are increased in your case as the cause of the elevated enzymes may determine the importance. - the doctors may need to do checks to see what liver condition the alcohol has caused already. If it is just fatty alcoholic liver disease the prognosis is very good and liver heals completely after quitting alcohol and it is a high chance the liver enzymes will go back to the normal level. If cirrhosis has developed then the liver enzymes may remain abnormal. - it is good you have stopped drinking and that you are following up with the liver enzymes. It may take weeks to months for tests to improve if no major changes to the liver have happened, so as long as you quit alcohol you are on the right track. - The doctor may also need to do tests to rule out other causes of increased liver function tests such as tests for hepatitis. I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. Let me know if I may assist you further. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj General and Family Physician